Harmanpreet Kaur Does A Dhoni & Secures A World Cup Qualifier Title For India

MS Dhoni has made a name for being one of the most effective finishers in limited-overs cricket. Whether it's performing under pressure or sealing a last-ball win with a massive six, not many can finish a cricket match the way Dhoni does.

But, on Tuesday, when Dhoni was busy preparing for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy for Jharkhand, a woman in Colombo was emulating the heroics of the former Indian captain in the summit clash of the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier.

India's stand-in captain Harmanpreet Kaur successfully emulated Dhoni's much-talked-about approach towards the game with a thrilling finish. In pursuit of a mammoth total of 244 runs, India's run-chase boiled down to nine runs off the last over with just two wickets in hand.

Harmanpreet dragged the first ball, a slower delivery, to deep mid-wicket and aimed for a double. But, Poonam Yadav was run-out at the non-striker's end, leaving India with just one wicket in hand.

But, as the pressure mounted on the 27-year-old, the Indian captain showcased a great understanding of the game and even refused singles in the over (something Dhoni has been known to do) to keep her side in the game.

Finally, it all came down to the last two deliveries where India needed a miracle, while South Africa fancied their chances of running away with the match.

A thrilling finish to the game sparked wild celebrations in the Indian camp with Harmanpreet herself tossing her bat in the air before sprinting in joy across the field. Soon, her teammates rushed onto the field to join their skipper, leaving the Proteas in sheer disbelief at the end of an exciting contest.

It was India's highest-ever successful run-chase in the history of ODI cricket. The thrilling win also meant that the Indian women's team remained unbeaten with eight consecutive wins in the tournament.